THIRD TEST.

Grey River Argus, 9 July 1926, Page 5

THIRD TEST.

AUSTRALIAN CHANCES. Team at Disadvantage. (Received July 8 at 8.45 p.m ) SYDNEY, July 8. The .Australians are by no means dispirited by their run of misfortunes in the shape of injuries and indisposition, and they hope to put up a good fight against England on Saturday. It was definitely announced bv Manager Smith to-day that Ryder would not play in this test. It is understood that the other certain omissions will be Collins, Hendry Everett and Ellis. Thus Grimmett and Ponsford will have their first chance in the test in England. Grimmett ha s been a very dispirited man. None is more ready to admit than he is that he is quite out of form. Grimmett cannot strike his length or reproduce spin On the ball.; The different English air and the pace of the pitch have upset him completely, but he has been practising hard, and he now hopes to be a factor 1 of the Australia attack on Saturday. Hendry is slowly shaking off the after effects of his illness. Even Gregory is somewhaj. shaky, but he is not overdoing things in new of Saturday. Widen the Wickets. AN “OLD HEAD’S” SOLUTION. FOR THE TEST" QUESTION. LONDON, July 7. Bishop Browne, formerly Bishop of Pistol, who is now ninety-three years of age, played for Yorkshire County 72 rears ago. He says: “It was beautiful Io see Hobbs and Bardsley in the second. test match. There seemed to be ao reason why they should not stay In for days, but it seems to me that the bat’s mastery over the ball has unbalanced cricket. I played in the 1 days of underhand bowling and bumpy pitches. The bowlers chose the bumps whereon to pitch the ball, and they broke violently. The batsmen, consequently, were often seriously injured. Nowadays, all the advantages are with the batsmen. I believe that all the dissatisfaction over the unfinished tests and first class matches would be made to disappear in the simplest manner bv increasing the width of the wicket one inch each way. It would give the, bowler an easier target, and give the ,batsmen more to defend. It make for fewer unsuccessful leg-before appeals.

AUSTRALIANS 197.

Against Worcester. LONDON, July 7. I For the match against Worcestershire, the Australians omitted Hendry, |Collins, Ryder, Everett and woodfull iThe weather was dull. Rain overnight made the wicket soft. Bardsley won the toss. The scores at the end of the day were:— AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Richardson e Bowles b Wilson .. 3 Macartney c Wilson b Root .. 0 'Bardsley b Bowles .. .. .. 35 Andrews Gearbox b Root .; .. 14 Taylor c and b Root .. .. 1Ponsford c Jewell b Bowles .. 33 Gregory b Wilson .. • • .. 30 Oldfield b Root 32 Ellis b Tarbox .. • • • • 1 Grimmett c Ashton b Bowles .. 24 Mai ley, not out 4 Extras .. .• • 9 Total 197 Bowling analysis: Root took 4 for Cl, Wilson 2 for 54, Rogers 0 for 21, Tarbox 1 for 10, Bowles 3 for 42. WORCESTER—First -linings. Jewell b Macartney .. .. 4 Wright c Richardson b Macartney 1 Tarbox b Macartney .. .. 1 Foxy, not rtut .. .. .. 9 Hopkins l.b.w. Macartney .. .. 0 Foster, not out ..; .. .. 28 Extras .. .. .. • • 4 SF* r ~ Total for 4 wickets .. • • 4* The attack for Worcester was opened by Root and Wilson, and only three byes were scored in the first three overs being boundary byes, then Rich ardson straight drove Wilson for three Off Wilson’s next over, Richardson guided a rising ball straight into the hands of second slip. Root is apparently becoming more difficult every time he faces the Australians. To-day he was getting a splendid swerve in the heavy atmosphere, trapping the batsmen. An Irews opened briskly and gave a chance at 9, which Foster at the wicket fumbled. He was magnificently caught by Tarbox on the run at deep square leg. The total was then £9 for 3. Taylor was in much improved form, cutting and driving in his old style, but off the third ball after lunch he made a tame return to Root. Ponsford played attractively, making a speciality of the late cut and on drive. Bardsley, who had been batting patiently and soundly, opened out, but Ponsford did most of the scoring. This fifth wicket partnership yielded 48, the total being 104, when Ponsford misjudged a break and was well held by mid-on. Five runs later, Bardsley was late in attempting to turn the ball to leg, and his leg stump was shattered. He had batted 135 minutes.

Oldfield when three, had a lucky escape from Root’s leg trap, Fox failing to hold the ball. Gregory was aggressive, and drove Root and Bowles powerfully. This pair carried the score to 145 before Wilson secured

Gregory’s wicket. Oldfield gamed runs from a nice leg glance. Grim “ e and Mailey made a minor stand, g Hg man/sharp singles. The bowhng throughout was of a high orderson and Bowles alternated effectively, and Root provided a great Worcester opened badly. Th ting was not enterprising lour wkkets fell for eight. Richardson and Macartnev were difficult to p i. . Fox and Foster livened the up. both were good on the leg .i also cut effectively, I' -.-- fluently till time. ENGLISH COUNTY MATCHES. -"LONDON, July 7. erieket Cambri ge a S‘ j.,, (DuleepsinghSeC 3 °6t 1 GrZstoiL t/ - 77 and p 3C). Oxford in their Mcßride 3 for ■ , iienson 52) En . second made 1“’ ) ( Towe 3 for 43> thoven oo ■ Cambridge won and Jagger 4 toi by 34 runs. Players, in the Gentlemen agon g()) . first . .. 53 and Clark 3 for Geary took . thc - r first in . 44) ’ T \n 13? for 6 (Hobbs 70, Sandnings made JO' v hftjn not out ■'*)•